Veterans banner program to keep flying in city

For the second year, the city of Elyria and the Elyria Council of Veterans are teaming together to bring the Hometown Heroes Banner Program to the streets of the city to honor local veterans, according to a news release.

In 2023, Elyria Council of Veterans members raised enough funds to reduce the cost of each banner to $37, the release said.

The Council of Veterans pledged to do the same this year, according to the release.

“Veterans should not have to pay over a hundred dollars for a banner,” said David K. Root, commander of the Elyria Council of Veterans in the release. “With the donations from the members of the Council, banners will be affordable, and everyone will be able to remember and honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces of our country.”

The veterans banners will be displayed on the lampposts on Middle Avenue from 16th Street to 3rd Street again this year, according to the release.

When Middle Avenue is full, banners will be hung on 3rd Street and 2nd Street lampposts, the release said.

Banners will be hung by the city in May and remain up until after Veterans Day in November, according to the release.

“The Hometown Heroes Banner Program is not just a patriotic gesture, but a way for the city to show our appreciation for the sacrifices made by the veterans of Elyria,” said Elyria Mayor Kevin A. Brubaker in the release. “I first saw the program while serving as safety service director, and got behind it immediately.

“Now, as the mayor, I want to ensure the program continues.”

The banners are available to any veteran with ties, either past or present to the city of Elyria, the release said.

Complete information and order forms can be found on the city website at www.cityofelyria.org.